It Needs To Be CED: Is Hip-Hop Music Stale?

No, I’m no hater, but, have been listening to Hip Hop since I can remember as a young boy growing up in the Soundview section of The Bronx, across the highway from the famed Bronx River Projects where Hip Hop grew, manifested and sprouted for the world to see and accept. Now, of course, with anything deemed new, there will always be room for change, growth and experimentation. When I was coming up, there was no such thing as gangsta rap, East Coast Hip Hop or party rap, it was just Hip-Hop. There was no clarification because it was all one and the same, simply, Hip Hop. With that, it was natural for people to come with different styles because, as far as we knew, it was only one style. So, of course, before the world caught on to what we deemed Hip Hop, people were trying to distinguish themselves from anyone else, specifically the crews in New York City who battled other crews, whether in the same neighborhood or beyond where they were comfortable being around.

Now, despite the new generation crediting Drake with the singing within Hip Hop songs or the previous one saying it was because of Ja Rule, you would have to know the history to understand that crews like The Force MCs (They later became a singing popular R & B group known as The Force MDs), The Fearless 4 and Crash Crew, back in the late 70s/early 80s, were doing ‘routines’ which incorporated singing within their raps and you probably couldn’t find many ‘crews’ that didn’t incorporate that element back then, but, even then, rappers were finding their own niche and creativity to sound better than others.

Of course, as Hip Hop was growing and being discovered in other places, there had to be creativity because, although Hip Hop and the ‘struggle’ were kinda universal, specifically in the Black communities, there were different TYPE of struggles that were almost separated by borough, state, city and coast. The difference was that it was still the same struggle, whether it was poverty, police brutality, unfair wages, corrupt politicians, crooked law system, well, you know, basically the same struggles we are going through still (But, that’s another CEDitorial).

But, even with the mentioned struggles, it was also a time to enjoy being alive and definitely a time to party and live life well, so, you saw the diversity in the music and the culture that made it the worldwide phenomenon it still is today. The big thing was that you can have 7 different artists/groups and have 7 different sounds/direction/lyrics. And for a long while, you had people coming with different flows and song content. You went from Grandmaster Melle Mel to Run-D.M.C. to Jungle Brothers to Scholly Dee to Ice T to N.W.A. to Uncle Luke to Big Daddy Kane to KRS-One to Das Efx to Will Smith and on and on. Each artist I just mentioned brought something different to the game, whether it was flow, delivery, style, direction, etc.

Sadly, nowadays, where has the creativity and diversity gone, specifically, in the commercial genre? The songs I do happen to catch playing 39 times daily on the radio and being played in the clubs, all border towards one particular sound or ignorance, er, genre, excuse me. I swear to GOD, I can’t tell the difference between songs and artists being played on the radio or even on the streaming services. I kid you not! When you heard a 50 Cent song, you knew it was 50. If a Ma$e record was playing, it was undeniably the Harlem cat with that slick flow. Chuck D? That voice can NEVER be confused with anyone else in this world. Eazy E on the track? Yeh, no one can mistake that high pitched flow and style with anyone else. Those Salt N Pepa routines? I mean, outside of the male counterparts, Kid N Play, who would dare copy that back and forth? Get it?

Who can we place fault with? Well, that’s debatable and I’m sure, will be another It Needs To Be CED article, but, until then, can someone please answer this question for me? IS Hip-Hop Music Stale?

When I think of Big Ced, what comes to mind is a well respected industry vet who has worked at huge media publications such as Black Enterprise, Vibe and The Source to name a few. A passionate and dedicated journalist who is an innovator that created a platform of his own, his website, The Industry Cosign, which he has held down for over 12 years. I am privileged and blessed to know him and I am inspired and motivated by him.

BIG CED is a fixture in the classic NY Hip Hop music industry. He is a good guy and a cool dude to know. He knows EVERYONE, very well connected and is still doing his thing in the industry.

DJ Wiz (Kid N Play)DJ/VJThe Video Mix PartyNew York, NY

Before there was social media, you had Big Ced, a gatherer of people. He is more than a promoter or socialite. He hand picked people he liked or felt had some value and invited them to local bars, restaurants, night clubs, sporting events and various other places they probably had never been.

His ability to bring ground breaking thinkers, music artists, athletes, directors, models and moguls together is quite unique. Even in 2016, he continues to collect a eclectic group of movers and shakers.

I imagine he believes in you, before you believe in yourself.

He is a pioneering writer on the internet, before the word blogger and continues to use the platform to make social change.

Ralph McDanielsPresidentUncle Ralph Music and Film & Video Music BoxNew York, NY

Who is Big Ced? Someone that is always smiling! Someone that is always trying to make sure that he looks out for you. Someone that does not ask of much in return. And someone that knows people. Big Ced is an amazing and accomplished journalist and networker. Big Ced is a veteran and if you do not know him… Stop asking who is Big Ced and get to know him.

Big Ced is an enigma within the Hip Hop culture! As soon as you think you’ve got him figured out…you find out you don’t! His truthful and blunt personality is not a persona…it’s the real deal Holyfield! So, if you can’t hang with honesty or if you don’t understand why people jump up around him shouting “facts only!”…then you probably need to stay out of the way! Because Ced pulls no punches and takes zero prisoners. Which is why he is one of my favorite people in this community! He doesn’t deal in phony…and I appreciate him for that! If he says it…then it is so…period!

Skyy HookOn Air PersonalitySirius XM/Shade45's The World Famous "Wake Up Show"New York, NY

Professional, reliable, open to various ideas, thinks outside the box, willing to give others opportunities. Identifies synergies between his passion/business and the passion/business of others. Works well with others.

Willing to help others, returns calls and messages. A person of integrity.

I’ve had the pleasure and some displeasure knowing Big Ced for the better half of 40 years! I’ve watched him create himself several dozen times for various reasons both professionally and personally. I’ve seen him change for family, for women, for work, for school & by choice. I could call him an innovator, I could call him a copycat, I have called him a promoter, an enthusiast, a writer, and a knucklehead and that was all on the same day. He’s been very fortunate with relationships that have allowed him to continue to rise to many varied occasions & He has not allowed the naysayers & detractors to destroy how great he is to himself or how great he could be in real life. He’s a pretty good friend, when he’s not giving advice, he’s a damn good son, but not always a good brother. He has taken shots, knots, go aways and plenty of Hell No Ced…but like the famous Timex slogan…he has kept on ticking…he’s A King In His Own Right or Mind…and he’s sometimes just too much…but when given the oppo…